A nearly painless normal delivery is possible through epidural anaesthesia, but the facility remains limited to a few corporate hospitals and select government setups. Experts at a meeting at King George's Medical University (KGMU) on Tuesday emphasized the need for greater awareness and infrastructure for better pain control during childbirth.
Benefits and Myths of Epidural Anaesthesia
Dr. Tanmay Tiwari noted that many women learn about epidural anaesthesia only during labor. He explained that the procedure involves an injection in the lower back, reducing pain while the mother remains awake and the natural process continues. He stressed that counselling should begin during antenatal visits. When information is shared late, women and families often refuse due to myths such as fear of paralysis or long-term back pain. These fears are not supported by routine medical evidence when epidural is administered under standard protocols by trained professionals, he added.
Infrastructure and Cost Challenges
Dr. Divya Srivastava from Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences pointed out that epidural anaesthesia requires continuous monitoring of mother and baby, trained staff, and timely dose adjustments. Smaller hospitals often lack round-the-clock anaesthesiologists and emergency backup, which limits availability. Early awareness can push systems to improve, she said.
Cost is another significant barrier. In private hospitals, epidural can cost several thousand rupees, while in government hospitals it is not always available on demand. Dr. Apurva Agarwal of GSVM Medical College highlighted that epidural provides safe pain relief and helps conserve a mother's energy.
Need for Standard Protocols
Experts stressed the importance of standard protocols and trained teams. Dr. Tanmay Tiwari emphasized that every anaesthesia technique should focus on patient safety and recovery. Dr. Sandeep Sahu added that uniform protocols are essential for safe outcomes. The meeting underscored the need for increased awareness and infrastructure to make epidural anaesthesia more accessible to women across all healthcare settings.
